Middle East & North Africa

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Middle East & North Africa

The Middle East and North Africa span both poles of migration: as countries of migrant destination, particularly in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, and as countries of migrant origin. The region has a large supply of young, active workers, with more than 20 million migrants working elsewhere in the region or in Europe. The research here focuses on labor migration to the region, including the policies and regulations that govern such migration and the role of recruiters; the humanitarian flows that have resulted from wars and political instability; diaspora engagement; and more.

The obstacles to humanitarian efforts in Afghanistan could foreshadow those in post-war Iraq. MPI Associate Policy Analyst Erin Patrick maps out some of the possible lessons for policymakers and aid workers.

The Palestinian refugee population is one of the world's oldest and largest, and poses enduring challenges to international aid organizations. The Source asked Karen Koning AbuZayd, who has been UNRWA's Deputy Commissioner-General since August 2000, to give her perspective on the current crisis.